Thanks very much for your valuable inputs @sim_tcr and @ujjwaana. In my ongoing search I did come across the Rekon 3 and it really interests me as well, however very few parts available for me to be able to build one, and sourcing the Rekon 3 from abroad is like a distant dream
Hence was trying to check if any of you veterans have managed to build one with locally available parts or by modding locally available drones. My only reason to steer towards the 18650s is the lower price point, and I dont fly much acro or race style as well.
Thank you once again for your inputs, much appreciated